Ultrasonic Needle Tip Localization Using Instrument-Mounted Transducers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasound systems struggle to accurately track the needle tip during insertion procedures, especially when the needle tip is deep, out of the imaging plane, or at a large angle, leading to multiple painful insertions and suboptimal patient care.
Innovation Solution
The ultrasound system incorporates an interventional instrument with attached ultrasound transducers and a multi-array scanner to transmit and receive ultrasound, utilizing a processor to detect the needle tip and display its location, and employs variable-width elevational planes for precise localization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional ultrasound systems are used for needle guidance, then the system is simple and non-invasive, but the needle tip visualization is poor when the needle tip is deep, out of the imaging plane, or at a large angle
Solution Approach 1:
The ultrasound system is divided into two separate arrays: a first array for transmitting ultrasound into the patient anatomy and a second array for receiving ultrasound from the interventional instrument. This segmentation allows each array to be optimized for its specific function, with the second array specifically designed to detect needle tip reflections that would be invisible to a conventional single-array system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach by having the interventional instrument itself transmit ultrasound signals back to the second array. This creates a communication channel between the needle tip and the ultrasound system, allowing real-time detection and localization of the needle tip position without requiring the needle tip to be visible in the conventional imaging plane.
2Productivity
If conventional ultrasound imaging is used, then the system is simple, but it is difficult to track needle progress during insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The system establishes a feedback loop where the second array continuously receives ultrasound signals from the interventional instrument during insertion. The processor analyzes these signals to determine needle tip position and provides real-time feedback to the operator, enabling precise tracking of needle progress through the tissue depth without loss of position information.
3Reliability
If multiple insertions are performed to ensure accuracy, then patient care improves, but patient pain and procedure time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical trial-and-error insertion process with an acoustic field-based detection system. The second array uses ultrasound to non-invasively detect and track the needle tip position in real-time, substituting the need for multiple mechanical insertions with a single guided insertion based on acoustic signal analysis.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances the ability to accurately visualize and guide needle placement, reducing the number of insertions and improving patient care by providing real-time needle tip tracking and guidance.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting sound waves at frequencies above the audible spectrum into a body, receiving echo signals caused by the sound waves reflecting from internal body parts
Implementation Method 2
receiving echo signals caused by the sound waves reflecting from internal body parts
Implementation Method 3
instruct, responsive to the determination of the occurrence of the trigger event, the at least one ultrasound transducer element to transmit the additional ultrasound
Implementation Method 4
receive additional ultrasound from at least one ultrasound transducer element and an interventional instrument having the at least one ultrasound transducer element attached
Data Source
AI summary
Ultrasound systems and methods that include and/or use interventional instruments (e.g., needles) are disclosed. In some embodiments, the ultrasound system has an interventional instrument having the at least one ultrasound transducer element attached to the interventional instrument and configured for insertion towards the patient anatomy as part of an insertion procedure. The ultrasound system is configured to: determine, during the insertion procedure, an occurrence of a trigger event; instruct, responsive to the determination of the occurrence of the trigger event, the at least one ultrasound transducer element to transmit the additional ultrasound; and determine, based on the reception of the additional ultrasound by the ultrasound scanner, that the interventional instrument is detected.